It's About Bloomin' Time: Digital Platform Riders Should Be Company Employees
Riders demand improved remuneration packages on digital work platforms
Here's the dirt: A bloke at Thammasat University thinks digital platform riders, like scooter and bike couriers, should be categorized as company employees, not some run-of-the-mill gig workers with limited access to basic work benefits.
Lemme break it down for ya: Assist Prof Kritsada Theerakosonphong, a smart cookie from Thammasat University's Faculty of Social Administration who's part of a crew workin' on the development of the Social Security system, reckons these riders are wrongly labelled as "semi-independent" workers – one of the two types of informal labor giggers defined in a draft bill.
The other type? The self-employed, like farmers growin' their crops, street vendors floggin' trinkets, and motorbike taxi drivers pickin' up fares.
Prof Kritsada's point? The bill's current definition of a platform delivery rider would keep 'em from receivein' work benefits and boot 'em from the formal labor system, even though they act like employees with rules to follow, uniforms to wear, and risks like accidents on the road.
The bill's drawin' criticism from a labour network, which sent a letter to the Labour Minister speakin' out against it in April. Considerin' the bill's been cookin' since pre-pandemic times and is just waitin' for cabinet approval, it ain't lookin' like it'll be served up any time soon.
So why am I bangin' on about this, ye ask? Cause Prof Kritsada points out the label "semi-independent" workers is bunk – these riders aren't exactly standin' on their own two feet. He reckons they're practically employees, but only get calloused treatment 'cause they're nicknamed freelancers.
I'm 'ere to keep ya updated on the latest labor law stuff in Thailand. If you ask me, it's about bloomin' time these riders were treated fairly, like good, ol' fashioned employees with worker protections and the like. Moral of the story? Keep your eyes peeled for changes to the labor laws around digital economy workers in the Land of Smiles.
- Assist Prof Kritsada Theerakosonphong, from Thammasat University's Faculty of Social Administration, argues that digital platform riders, such as scooter and bike couriers, should not be classified as freelancers, but considered uniformed employees due to their adherence to rules and the risks they face on the job.
- In adds to the discussion, Prof Kritsada points out that the current definition of a platform delivery rider in a draft bill excludes them from receiving work benefits and formal labor protections despite the similarities between their work and traditional employee roles.
- The label "semi-independent" workers, as defined in the draft bill, may not accurately represent platform riders, as they, in essence, function like employees and deserve protection in the form of technology-based risk management, worker benefits, and uniforms, just like their traditional counterparts in the workforce.
